Computing scale



March 9, '1937. o. MALCHER 2,073,162

COMPUTING sc :ALE

Fi1ed March 1'7, 1932 7 Sheets-Sheet l O'. MALCHER COMPUT I NG S CALE March 9, 1937. 2,073,162

Filed Maron 17, 1932 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 5` Jaz f3 COMPUTING SCALE Filed MarGli 17, 1932 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 March 9, 1937. Ao. MALCHER COMPUTING SCALE March 9, 1937. o. MALCHER COMPUTING SCALE Filed March 17, 1932 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 o. MALCHER 2,073,162

COMPUTING SCALE Filed March 1'7, 1932 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 March 9, 1937.

1 l /l l r March 9, 1937. o. MALCHER COMPUTING SCALE 7 Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed March 17, 1932 amm, mmm, com,

ovm

Patented Mar. 9, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COMPUTING SCALE om Meiner, chicago, 1u.

Application March 17, 1932, Serial No. 599,471

l 21 Claims. (Cl. 235-58) 'Ihis application is a continuation in part of my application Serial No. 388,050, led August 24, 1929, and the invention relates in `general to a computing scale for use in connection with a weight machine and has more particular relation to an indicator for designating the money value of a weighed article of which the price per pound is given.

-One of the principal objects of the invention is in the provision of a visible scale which may be seen on opposite sides, by the buyer and seller. respectively, giving the notations of the weight, the price per pound and the money value.

A further object o'f the invention is inv simplifying the mechanism for recording the money value when the price per pound is given andthe weight determined by a suitable Weighing mechanism.

lA still further object of the invention is in the provision of one chart or series of values which is utilized for all registrations of the different money values corresponding to the price per pound and the weight, within the limits of the scale.

A further object of the invention is in the provision of a money value indicating chart which is held in the last position until the chart is again used for indicating the next money value.

A still further object of the invention is in the provision of means for accurately setting the price per pound for any given value and utilizing the variation of a weighing scale, for example, to obtain a money value corresponding thereto A without lost motion, and therefore accurately,

within the limits of the scale.

A further object of the invention is in the provision of showing the money value in large figures by dividing the money 'value chart into tens and units graduations.

A further important object of the invention is in the provision of means forl effecting the showing of reach full ten cent value or a multiple thereof provided that the units indicate more than nine and one-half units immediately preceding it.

A further important object of the invention is in the provision of means for accurately moving the money value mechanism the full distance to indicate the proper amount, then causing a reverse movement of the'indicating mechanism to the closest lil-cent value and by this reverse movement causing a corresponding movement of a units indicator determined by the amount of the reverse movement of the next lower 10-value, and permitting a resumption of the full lli-value if a predetermined amount more than nine units is indicated.

Other mechanical objects of the invention will appear hereinafter,v such for example, as the provision of clutchand release mechanism for the money value chart and to lock the weighing scale in position; to accurately position the price per pound scale; to automatically position a stop in the path of a movable scale weighing member; to automatically return part of the shifting mechanism in place allowing another part to return to actuating position; to provide simple spring and cam actuated mechanisms for moving the parts positively, accurately and without lost motion; and in general to provide the mechanisrn herein shown and described. For accomplishing these results and others which will appear hereinafter, the accompanying drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings, Fig. l is a side elevation with parts broken away illustrating a. casing embodying this invention; Fig. 2 is a View in elevation of the casing shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a scale mechanism embodying this invention as enclosed in the casing of Fig. 1; Figs. 4, 5, 6, and 'I are sectional views taken on the lines 44, 5-5, 6 6, and 1-1 respectively of Fig. 3; Figs. 8, 9, and Y10 are fragmentary views of the weight, money value, and price per pound scales, respectively, as used in connection with the mechanism; and Fig. 1l is a timing diagram of the operation.

Computing scales for showing the weight, money value, and price per pound are not entirely new but the present invention diiers from other scales of this kind in showing these three diierent records in duplicate and on opposite sides oi Vthe machine so that they are clearlyl visible both to the buyer and to the seller. Furthermore in the present machine these separate indications appear on the same tape, the indications for the oppositel openings being reversed in position on the tape and the side openings being arranged so that the characters which are visible in any opening are those which appear only in upright position. g

In many computing scales which indicate the money value and the price per pound there is a long drum upon which there is a separate series of figures for each price per pound, comprising as many complete sets of iigures as there are different prices per pound. In the present computing scale there is only one set of money value figures and there is only one dial for setting the price per poundso that in'reading the money value for any weight and price per pound it is not necessary to carefully examine the wholev series of charts and pick out the proper one, but the proper money value will appear clearly and distinctly in the side opening, and as 'shown in the present chart the numerals are so enlarged at the side openings that they appear boldlyand clearly so that no mistake or misunderstanding is possible. v

' After a money value has been obtained cor` responding to any determined -weight and price per pound it is an advantage to maintain the money Value scale in position until the next transaction is complete. .This corresponds to the registration by an ordinary cashregister of the latest sale which appears at the top of the cash register until the next transaction has been registered. r

Although the present invention is shown and described in connection with a weighing scale it is apparent that any registration corresponding to the money value can beobtained depending upon two variables which correspond to the weight and the price per pound. An example of a well-known use to which this scale may be put is in grocery or meat market practice where the Weight of the articles sold varies, as does also the price per pound,' of the different articles sold and for fractional amounts it is diillcult to calculate the money value quickly and accurately. The present invention is therefore described as used infcombination with a weighing scale, or with a movable element thereof which records the weight and clearly shows it upon a tape or weight thereby producing one of the fac s of which the price per pound is e o er factor for determining the money val e corresponding thereto. y i

Referring now more particularly vto the drawings, the computing scale comprising this inven tion and the weighing scale mechanism .used in connection therewith are represented as enclosed in a casing designated generally with the reference numeral I, having side openings 2, 3, andl 4 adjacent the top or circular part of the casing. at both front and back in which are located lenses 5 and 6 for magnifying the figures and characters appearing upon the scales Within the casing. As shown in Figs. 8, 9, 'and 10 there are separate scales l for designating the weight, 8 for designating the money value, and 9 for designating the price per pound, and each'of these scales is divided longitudinally, with the graduations thereof arranged oppositely on different sides of the center line and diametrically opposite so that when applied` to the wheels upon which the scales are mounted the same graduations will appear in the corresponding side openings on opposite sides of the machine, the graduations on one side of the center line being blotted out in one of the side openings and those on the other side of the center line being blotted out on the correspondingly opposite sight opening so that vthose remaining will be the same in upright position in the corresponding opposite openings. The price per -pound variationsv of scale 9 are not important up to 5 and 10 pounds and usually are not increased by one cent variations until after 10 cents per pound, nor near the price of one dollar, so that the variation at these points are in 5s instead of units.

Weight scale mechanism-As shown in Fig. 3 and 7, this mechanism comprises onlya weight indicating scale l mounted'upon a wheel I0 coaxial with the computing scale Wheels and actuated by any suitable mechanism as for example a rack II and pinion I2 for moving the Wheel I0 in accordance with the up and down movements of a scale mechanism and including a movable scale part I3, as shown in Fig. 7, which comes to rest at a point determined by the weight,

the zero or no-weight position being shown in Fig. 7.

In accurately determining the money value, the position of this scale part I3 must be maintained after it has once come to rest and a clamp is provided comprising plates I4 movable toward. and from each other on shafts I5 to clamp the member I3 therebetween, the plates having teeth I6 (see also Fig. 6) engaged by meshing pinions Il for moving them,` and the pinions beingV rotated by meshing gears IB and I9, the latter being rotatable 0n a shaft 20 which is rocked by an arm 2I pressed in contact with a cam 22 mounted on a shaft 23, by means of ,a coil spring 24. As shown more clearly in Fig.

7 a slight clockwise movement of the cam 22 y will free a projection 25 at the end of the arm 2| for movement by the spring, thereby actuat-V ing the lock plates I4 by the operation of the gear and pinion mechanismwjust described to grip the movable scale member |3 between the plates I4 and hold it in its adjustedppositioim Pnzce per pound mechanism-Either aftervor before the weight of the article has beenl deter- -mined the mechanism setting the price per pound may be operated. This comprises a shaft 26 ex-' tending through the one side of the casing l,l

at lthe outer end of whichis a handle or crank 2l for rotating the shaft. Upon this shaft within the casing are discs 28 and 29 having toothed edges, the former being uniform in diameter and its teeth engaged by a spring pressed pawl 30 for engaging and holding the connected parts` in an adjusted position. The other disc 29 has teeth arranged in a spiral and graduated step by cstep corresponding, in number to the teeth of the other disc 28. The teeth of this disc 29 .correspond to the price per pound greduations which appear upon the chart 9 carried by a Wheel 3I for positioning the price pei` pound numerals in Athe front and rear sight openings. These prices `per 'pound may vary as desired, increasing one cent, or'more or less for each tooth of the disc 29, and the -price per pound 'is easily set by means of the handle 2l for any mined by the position of adjuster controlled by the disc 29. When set at zero this disc is in the position shown in Fig. 7, but by rotating the disc ina counter clockwise direction its successive value teeth are brought into the zero position where they are held by the pawl 39 and as the price per pound values increase the teeth approach more nearly to the axis of the shaft 26 so that when in the highest lvalue theadjuster 35 will be movable the greatest distance to the right which is permitted by the slots 36 in the adjuster 35. This adjuster has a projection 38 formed at the left-hand end, as shown in Fig. 7, adapted toV engage the disc 29 upon a horizontal line extending inwardly toward the shaft 25, the movement of the adjuster 35 to the right being limited by the engagement of its projection 38 with the toothof the disc 29 which has been moved into the path of the projection 38. Thus the price per pound disc determines the transverse movement of the adjuster 35 and the angular position of arm 32.

In order to move the adjuster 35 in a horizontal direction the lower edge is formed with a rack 39 engaged by a. toothed segment 40 carried upon an arm 4I pivoted on a shaft 42 and having an extension 43 on the opposite side of the shaft carrying a projection 44 adapted to engage a cam 45 mounted on shaft 46 and rotatable in a counter clockwise direction. 'I'he arm 4I is pulled toward the right, as shown in Fig. 7, by a coil spring 41 which maintains the projection 44 of the extending arm 43 in contact with cam 45 so that when thiscam is partially rotated the projection 44 will move inwardly from the high point of the cam allowing the spring 41 to draw the arm 4I and with it the adjustingA member 35 as far to the right aspredetermined by the setting of the price per pound -cam 29 which is engaged by the adjuster projection 38.

From this it will be seen, that the setting o f the angular position of the arm 32 is proportional to the price per pound. The money value however is determined by two factors, the price per pound times the number of pounds and the movement of the money value chart is determined both by the angular movement of the arm 32 andby the vertical movement of a slide 5 "l1/ich the movement is determined by the i ositlon of scale part I3 which has been locked in position by the clamping mechanism described.

Weight slide movement-It would not do to have the weight slide 50 always in the path of movement of the scale part I3 which oscillates up and down in response to theweight of an article placed upon and removed from the scale. After the weight has been determined by theI scale mechanism and the scale part I3 has come to rest and is locked in position a movable stop 5I carried at the lower end of slide 50 is moved laterally into the vertical path of scale part I3 against the tension of its returning spring 52 by mea-ns of a vertically movable cam part 53. This` part 53'has a cam surface 54 for engaging one er'd of the stop 5| and lmoving the stop horizontally to the left, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, as the cam part 53 is raised. The raising movement of the part 53 is effected by means of a cam 55 mounted on shaft 23 and having a cam recess 56 for engaging a projection 51 on the cam part 53 in such a manner that the part 53 is raised as soon as the cam 55 starts its movement and it is held in raised position until the cam 55 and the shaft 23 make one complete rotation. The cam part has a slot 58 through which shaft 45 extends to also serve as a guide for said cam.

When the scale part I3 is moved downwardly from its zero position by means of a weight,

the stop 5I and the slide 50 must move downwardly a proportionate distance before the stop 5I shaft s3, as viewed in Figs. 6 and '1, and nhecther" arm carries a projection 61 adapted to engage the surface of a cam 68 mounted on shaft 23.

Rotation of cam 63 in a clockwisey direction with l shaft 23 maintains the segment 62 in the position shown in Fig. 6 a portion of one turn of the shaft after which the projection 61 is free to move inwardly due to the action of the spring 66 and the movement of the segment causes the downward movement of the slide 59 through the pinions G0 and BI until the stop 5I engages the scale part I3.

Vertical movement of the slide 50 is controlled and limited by one or more vertical slots 69 engaged and movable upon projections 1U connected to some fixed part of the casing or by any similar and equivalent structure which guides the movement of the slide in a vertical direction and allows no lost motion thereof.

Projecting laterally from the slide 50 near its upper end is an extension 12 to which the lower end of arm 32 is pivoted on a stub shaft normally in line with but disconnected from the price ,per The arm-32 is therepound adjusting shaft 25. fore rst adjusted angularly by the horizontal movement of the adjuster 35 and then the arm is moved vertically downward with the slide 5II depending upon the position of the scale part I3. Thus two movements of the arm 32 are combined constituting the factors of price per pound, and

weight, which determine the movement of the money value scale. ,i

Money value scale movement-An accurate movement of some member to engage the arm 32 in its position produced by the adjuster 35 and 'slide 13 is a plate 16 supporting a stud shaft 11 having its end cut at the diameter 18 to form a recessed'abutment portion at one side of the shaft and adapted to rest against a. rib or projection 19 on the adjacent side of the arm 3 2 at the normal or zero center' and axis line of the arm 32, the rib 19 terminating on the center line of the shaft 23 y and the center of projection 33, as shown in Fig. 6, so that the diametric contact line 18 of the stud shaft 11 will provide a substantial contact surface for engaging the accurate positioning line 19 of the arm 32 rather than to engage the arm 19 with a sharp point on a flat surface. In other words, the stud shaft 11 rotates with the rib 19 after the arm 32 is angularly adjusted and then after the arm is moved downwardly by the slide 5D, the transverse movement of the money value slide 13 brings the diametrical surface stud 18 of the stud shaft 11 into engagement with the rib 19 of the adjusting arm 32 for accurately limiting and positioning the money value slide 13 at the end 'of its movement against the limiting `80.. This movement is effected by means of two levers 8| and 82, the latter having anarm 83 extending into the path of movement of the other lever 8| and causing the movement together of the two levers in one direction, the levers being mountedV for rotation upon the same shaft 42. These levers are provided with opposite extensions 84 and 85, respectively between which is a spring 86 tending to hold them together in contact with the projection 83. Another spring 81 is connected at one end to the lever 8| and at the other end to the casing and tends to draw the two levers in a direction to move both the slide 13 and the money value wheel to theirmoney value indicating positions.

Movement is transmitted from lever 8| to the slide 13 by means of a gear segment 88 at the r outer end of the lever which meshes with a pinion 89 carried loosely on a shaft |26 and meshing with a rack 9| at the bottom of the slide 13. A

y corresponding movement is transmitted by a gear the tension of spring 81, when the money value shown is zero, by means of a cam 94 mounted on shaft 46 adapted'to engage a projection `95 on the lower end extension 96 of lever 8|so that the cam must be rotated a portion of one turn before the projection 95 will be released by the high point of the cam, allowing the spring 81 to moving the money value chart 8 a corresponding distance so that the readings thereof will be seen through the opposite sight openings 3.

At the end of lever 82 which moves the money value chart there is an extension 91 adapted to be engaged between clamping platesy 98 'movable toward and from each other actuated by meshing pinions 99 which are operated by la gear mounted on shaft 46, the gear |00 having 91- and hold the lever 82 and the money value chart 8 inthe last predetermined position. At this time cam 94 has been returned to its normal position, as shown ir Fig. 5,. and lever 8| is returned to the actuating position as shown. This leaves the money value for the last operation of the mechanism in view where itcan be plainly seen both by the buyer and seller until the next transaction and actuation of the mechanism.

` Thus the connection between levers 8| and 82 permits lever 82 to remain clamped in the money value indicating position, thereby holding the wheel 80 andchart 8 in this position, and permits the lever8| td be returned by the movement of cam 84 to the position shown in Fig. 5 thereby returning the slide 13 to its normal position and extendingl the springs 86 and 81.

Money value indicator refinement-To more accurately register the values of the money value chart and to utilize large figures for all the money values which appear t ugh the sight openings 3, the movement imparted to the money value wheel may be utilized rst to accurately set a wheel which carries only the even -cent values of the chart so that intermediate portions of the chart would not appear clearly and distinctly through the sight openings as the number values might overlap it slightly in either direction depending upon what intermediate value, between the lO-cent limits, actually should be registered.v

' The 10-cent wheel is then backed off until it is stopped at vthe next lower 10-cent value, this reverse movement, if any, being then utilized to actuate a units' wheel with unit characters which correspond in size to the tens characters and together therewith give a money value accurate to the penny, shown in large sized figures which are clearly seen.v

In carrying ut there is a toothed portion on the wheel 80 (see Figa-3 and 4) between money value charts |2| `and |22 visible through openings 3 at opposite sides of the casing, the amount of movement of this wheel being determined by the weight and the price per pound as before described. ,This includes the lever 82 and the driving pinion 93 which is actuated by the gear segment 92 at the outer end of the lever 82. Instead however, -of .being attached directly to the money value wheel 80, this pinion 93 is attached by sleeve 90 to a beveled gear |23 connected by a beveled gear y|24 with a beveled gear |25 attached to the shaft |26 for operating the toothed portion |20 of the money value wheel 8 0. For indicating a value, let us say of twenty dollars, the chart' sections `|2| and |22 for this wheel 80 will have 200 graduations and numerals corresponding thereto of comparatively large size.

' To add ten times as many numerals to these wheelsfor producing an accurate cent by cent graduation would necessitate the numerals being much smaller which would make them hard to see and to distinguish from each other. By

providing relatively large numerals on unit wheels |21 and |28, the unit wheels may be accurately moved into `register with the Iadjacent portions of the charts for forming the last and concluding numeral of the money value which is of the same size and as easily readable as the tens numerals ofthe money value chart.

In order to effect this movement ofthe units Vwheels |21 and |28 the wheel 80 is moved by the train of gears |23, |24, and |25 to the proper posi- `tion forindicating the money value, lever 82 has its extension 91 engaged by clamping plates 98, as previously described, which holds the money value mechanism in position, subject to an adjustment of the units` wheel.

This adjustment is effected by means of a lever |29 having a projecting tip |30 for engaging the teeth |20 of wheel 80, the lever being pivoted upon a shaft |3| extendingfrom a fixed portion of the frame and having anextension |32 with a spring |33 attached thereto tending to'press the lever into engagement with the wheel 80 and having another extension |34 with an extremity |35 adapted to engage a notch |36 in a cam |31 rotatable on shaft 23.

With the gear |23 and its pinion 93 thus locked in position by means of lever 82 an adjusting this feature of the invention.

movement of thewheel 88 s possible by a differential movement of gears 24 and |25.` This movement is obtained by means of an operating lever 38 which carries the gear |24 upon Va. vertical shaft |39 and mounts it for swinging movement by means of a yoke |48 which swings about the center of shaft |26 and is supported in a holder |4| attached to a suitable part of the'frame for permitting the swinging movement of the yoke and .lever about the axis of the gear |25. This operating lever |38 is caused to swing toward the right as viewed in Fig. 4 by its operating member |38a also mounted at its upper end in holder |4| to swing about shaft |26 as an axis and having a releasable connection with lever |38 as hereafter described. A spring |42 is att-ached to the lower end of the member |38a and to a fixed projection and tends to move a proshaft |48. The lower end of the lever |38 has a stop piece |31a at one side adapted to engage the shaft |48 to limit its travel in one direction of movement in which it is drawn by a spring |36a attached at one end to the lever |38 and at the other to a fr-ame projection. The two springs |42 and |36a, (attached to operating member A|3811.) are opposed to each other and |42 is the stronger, the members |38 and |38a normally moving together. When the connection between them is released the spring |36a returns or holds the stop piece |31a against the shaft |48 until again connected automatically to its normal operating member |38a for operation 'r therewith.

Extending from the shaft |48 an arm |49 having a toothed segment |58 adapted to mesh with the teeth of a segment pivoted on a shaft4 |52 which also carries the 1cent wheel |21.-

The 1cent wheel has three different portions, one portion |53 bearing unit figures corresponding' to the tens figures on the adjacent chart v|22 vand increasing oppositely therefrom, a gear section |54, and a toothed section |55 the notches of which correspond to the numerals on the portion |53 for holding this wheel in accurate ,register with the chart section |22 at thesight opening.

Between the gear segment |5| and the 1cent wheel |21 is a flexible connection comprising a lever |53a pivoted on the 1cent wheel |21 and having a spring |56 connected between the wheel |21 and oneend of the lever |53a. The other end of lever |5311 has a notch |54a for engaging a pin projection |5511 carried by the segment |5| and thereby holding the wheel |21 and the segment yieldingly together for a centering or adjusting movement of the 1cent wheel without moving the gear segment |5| which is relatively fixed in position by its engagement with the tooth segment |58 of arm |49. In order to hold the 1cent wheel accurately in place a toothed lever |51 is pivoted on shaft |3| and has a-pointed end |58 engaging the teeth |55 and centeringv or adjusting the numerals of the .wheel as it enters between the teeth |55, due to This lever |51 has an extension |59 with a projection |68 thereonfor engaging the high point |6| of a cam |62 `mounted on shaft 23 and it is normally held in engagement with the cam and pressed in a direction to disengage the point |58 from the teeth |55 by means of a spring |83 attached at one'end to an extension |64 near the pivot point of the -lever and at the other end to a fixed projection.

To connect the lever |38 and its operating member |38a and also to control the 1cent wheels at times, the member |38ahas an extension |39a (Figs. 3 and 4) upon which is pivoted a lever |48a with an extremity |4|a located in the path of a projection |56a carried by the 1cent wheel |21, and when it is rotated a predetermined amount to engage the extremity |4|a tripping the extending other ,end |42a which has an' engaging notch |44a from its engagement with a pin |45a projecting from lever |38.

The lever |38 and. its operating member |380. normally operate together in moving the 1cent Wheels but a condition arises where the money value is between 9 and 10 cents which requires a separate movement of these parts. The teeth |55 of the. 1cent wheel are preferably pointed with equal sides so that below the central position the pointed end |58 of lever |51 will move the 1cent wheel to the lower full cent, and engaging beyond the central point it will move the 1- cent wheel to the next full cent.

If the money value is between 9% and 10 cents the point |38 of lever |29 will be just short of engagement with the next -cent value tooth |28, and in order to provide against this continuing units loss, the 1cent wheel must be returned to 0 (zero) and the next higher 18-cent value must be restored.

In the mechanism shown this is accomplished as follows: the movement of the 1cent wheel |21 to an indicated 91/2 cent position will cause the pointed end |4| a of lever |48a to be engaged by the knock-out pin |56a carriedby segment |5| which will move the other end l4 2a of the lever out of engagement with the pin |45a, allowing the lever |38 to be rocked away from its operating member |38a by spring |36a which moves the lower end of the lever |38 until its stop member |31a contacts with shaft |48. This movement in turn rocks the pinion |41, shaft |48 and with it the arm |49, (and lever |81) to return the 1cent wheels to 0 (zero), and through the differential gearing (|23, |24, |25) to return the.

shaft 98 and the money value wheel 88 to the position from which they originally started approximately but not quite to the position where the next 10-cent tooth |20 is engaged by the tip |38 of lever |29 which is in fact a holding pawl, but suiiiciently aligned with the sights to give a practical reading of the next 10-cent value.

To reconnect the lever |38 and its operating member |38a; the return movement oflever |38a by means of its cam |45 causes the arm |42a of lever |48a to slide along the pin |45a until the notch |44a. is drawn into engagement therewith by the spring |43a.

Instead of utilizing the 10-cent restoring movement of the lever |38 to return the 1cent wheels Y to zero, it is obvious that an .apertured shield or cover through which the money values are visible inthe sight openings might be moved one graduation of the wheel 88 which would make visible the next 10-cent value, where a money value of 4more than 9% cents isobtained.

Instead of repeating this mechanism for the corresponding 1cent wheel |28 at the opposite side of the chart there `is an operating member |65 having teeth ,|66 in engagement with the 5 teeth |54 of the 1-cent wheel |21 and this member extends downwardly to the shaft |48 and thence upwardly with a portion |61 at the opposite side of the money value chart portion |2| Where it has teeth |68v in engagement with a toothed portion |69 of the other 1-cent wheel |28 so that the movement which is imparted to the l-cent wheel |21 is` transferred to the oppo site l-cent wheel |28. I

To print the weight, `money value, or price per 1'5 pound, or all of them, for they purpose of supplying a ticket thus marked, requires only that the numbers be raised upon the corresponding wheels and that thesheet or ticket be pressed against them. n i The succession of operation of this particular mechanism is caused by'the rotation of the cam shaft 23 which iirst locks the lever 82 by means of the -arm |0| and itscam |03; the lever |29 is raised by its cam |31 against the tension of 25 its spring |33 until the cam recess |36 is reached which causes the tip to be moved into the v path of the money value wheel |20; at this time the projection |43 of lever |38a is moved by its spring |42 as far into the recess |44 of its cam 30 |45 as determined by the counter Aclockwise rotation of the wheel 80 until it is stopped by engagement of the next 10-cent notch of the wheel with-the tip |30, the differential movement of the gears |23, |24, and |25 permitting this reverse .35 rotation of the wheel 80 as above explained; the

movementof the lever |38a thispredetermined amount causes the setting of the l-cent, Wheels |21 and |28 as above described and the wheel |21 is locked in position by the lever |51 at or 40 near the end of rotation of the cam shaft 23 because of the engagement of projection |60 of the lever |51 with the high point |6| of its cam |62, the lever |61 being normally held out of its engagement with the teeth |55 until the operation of the l-cent wheel |21 has been completed.

Camoperatiom..-Movement is imparted to the shafts 23 and 46 by means of a motor or mechanism located on the outside of the casing l as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and comprising a,

small crank or handle |06 attached to a shaft |01 upon whichbis secured a driving gear |08 which meshes with an idler vgear |09 and the idler gear in turn meshes with a gear ||0 which is mounted upon shaft 23 'extending to the interior of the casing. These gears are preferably of such a size that it takes two full rotations of the driving gear |08, and consequently of the handle` |06 to produce one rotation of the gear ||0 and its shaft 23. A spring pressed pawl engages a stop shoulder formed bya recess I 2 in a plate ||3 associated with the gear ||0 so that upon one complete rotation of the shaft 23 it will be resiliently held bythe pawl in the proper position for the next actuation andmove-l ment oi' the mechanism. In order to drive the lshaft 46, a gear ||4 is mounted upon shaft 23 and a gear ||5 of equal size meshing therewith is mounted upon shaft 46 ,so that one ro ation of the shaft 23 produces a corresponding rotation of the shaft 46.

. Enclosing the gears |08, |09, and |V|0 is a small casing ||6 attached tothe outside of the main u casingl and the crank |06 projects through this casing for rotation by-the'operator ofthe machine. l OperationL-Assuming that the parts are in their normal positions, and thatthe money value chart is held in position indicatingthe money 5' value of a preceding transaction, the iirst action of the operator, after weighing the article whose value is to be computed, is to adjust the price per pound corresponding thereto by rotation of various mechanisms as described; (1) to release 20 the money value chart by disengaging the extension' |31 of the lever 82v which causes it to return under'the action of spring 86 until its projection 83 engages the side of its companion lever 8| releasing lever I 34 to disengage the tip |30 from 25 the teeth |20 of Wheel 80 and releasing the units y dog pointed end |58 of lever |51 from the teeth f |55 so that these and the other levers restore the dials, thereby returningthe money value chart to a zero position; (2) to operate the scale part 30 clamping mechanism by means of lever 2| and cam 22 for engaging the scale part I3 in the position to which it has beenv moved by the weight placed upon the scale; (3) to extend the stop 5| at the bottom of slide 50' into the path ofthe 35 scale member |3 which it will engage when the slide 50 is moved downwardly; (4) to movetheV actuator 35 until its stop 36engages the price per poundv disc 29 in whatever position it may be set,

by means of the arm 4| and its extension 43 40 which is controlled by the cani' 45 and thereby to set the arm 32 at an angular position determined by the movement of the adjuster 35; (5) to move the slide 50 downwardly until ,itsstop 5| engages the scale part |3 by means of the rack and pinion 45 connection between the slide"50 and its operating segment 62 which is controlled by cam 68, the slide carrying with it the arm 32 which maintains the angular position to which it has been set by the adjuster 35,; (6) to move the money value 50 slide 13 a distance to the right, as yiewed in Fig. 5, which is determined by theangular adjustment of the arm 32 and the downward movement of the arm with the slide 50; (7) to move the money value wheel and its chart v8 by the 55 correct money value for the article weighed at 60 the indicatedprice per pound; and (10) to returnall the parts'actuated by the crank |08 and lits associated mechanism, (except releasing the money value chart) totheir normal or zero positions as shown in the drawings, the price per 65 poundmechanism also remaining at the price for which it is, set until positively adjusted by the handle 21 to another setting. The obvious reason for this is that the next article to be weighed may be sold at the same price per pound, 70 In order that the operations of the various parts may be accurately compared and timed, reference may be hadto the chart or diagram in Fig. 11 showing ,the comparative relation of- -the movement of the variouscams which are mounted upon the actuating 'cam shaft 23 and are moved by it one complete rotation or 360 for eachmovement ofthe computing scale. The high portion of each line of the chart shows the period of operation and the low portion shows the period of release or disconnection. The cams operate the parts abruptly or gradually as indicated by the sharp or more gradual connecting lines between the high and low portions thereof.

Thus the cycle of operations is complete, and the only action necessary by the operator of the mechanism is to set the price per pound dial and to turn the small handle I G6 a predetermined amount in the same direction. It is found better to give this handle two complete rotations rather than a single one as it gives the mechanism operated thereby a. longer time interval and the action is similar to recording registers with which many clerks are now familiar.

With this mechanism a cumbersome drum or dial .or a series of charts are entirely avoided and a single chart or dial is substituted for all weights and prices per pound within the limit of the mechanism. For example, the present design is intended for prices ranging up to one dollar per pound andfor weights up to twenty pounds, although it is obvious that any limits and values can be taken care of by the same or a similar mechanism. It is'found furthermore that the numerals upon the charts are suflciently large to bey clearly seen through the sight openings and by having magnifying lenses, the numerals opposite the centers of the sight openings aremadelarge and clearly visible from a considerable distance and at various angles not in direct line with the axis of the lenses.

As there is no lost motion'either in the setting of the arm Ai2 or in the vertical movement of the slide 50 the money value movement of the chart is positive and accurate and there is no error in the setting or movement of the money value scale which is positively held and locked in place even after the transaction is complete and the weight is removed from the scale so that a customer can see by looking at the money value chart whether he has been given the proper change in completing the transaction.

It is obvious that various changes may be made in the construction, combination and arrangej ment of the several parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

`1. In a computing scale, a money value chart and means for varying the movement of the chart in accordance with the price per pound and the Weight, said means comprising a graduated, rotatable price variation disc, an adjuster `mov able to engage a graduation thereof, an arm movable in accordance'with the position of the adjuster at an angle proportionate to the variation in price, means for moving the armA bodily a distance depending upon the weight, and mechanism operating in a constant path for engaging the arm in its final position as determined by the two adjustments thereof for varying the money value in accordance therewith.` 2. In a mechanism for registering the money value determined by the price per pound and the weight of' an article, a disc having a spiral toothed surface and movable to indicate one of the variables, an adjuster movable to engage the toothed surface in the position set, a member moved by the adjuster in accordance with the position of the disc, a slide to bodily move the member at right angles to the movement ofthe adjuster a distance depending upon the other variables, and mechanism for rotating a money value indicator different distances as determined by the movement of the adjuster and the slide.

3. In a computing scale of the class described, a price per pound mechanism comprising a. single graduated disc and an adjuster eng-ageable with the disc graduations and relatively movable lin accordance with the price perpound adjustment,

a slide movable at right angles .to the adjuster p the levers and the chart in the money value in` dicating position, and a resilient connection between the levers for permitting the other lever to return to normal position after the money value chart is locked.

5. In a money value scale a rotatable indicating chart, a slide for determining the movement of the chart, means for moving the slide and chart in unison in one direction, said means comprising a pair of actuating levers one of which has a-projection engaged by the other,lockin g means for engaging one of the levers and holding the chart in a money value indicating position, means for returning the other lever to normal position, and means for bringing the levers ,together in normal position when the locking means is released.

6. In a computing scale, a money value chart, means including a single variable price per pound disc and actuating levers for varying the movement of the chart in accordance with the price per pound and the weight, locking mechanism for holding the money value chart in a money value indicating position, and cam operated means for returning the levers of the chart varying mechanism to normal position for the next variable movement of the money value chart..

'7. A computing scale. having a money value chart, a price per pound adjuster, weight indicating mechanism, means comprising a pair of cooperating levers for varying the reading of the money value chart in accordance with the position of4 the price per pound adjuster and the weight indicating mechanism, and actuating mechanism for iirst releasing the money value chart from a former setting, for next positioning the weight indicating mechanism in accordance with the weight of an article to be priced, and

Ithereafter moving the money value indicating chart to a corresponding new position determined by the weight and the price per pound, and then returning the operating parts including said 1evers to normal position, said normal position also including the locking of the money value chart in a position indicating the last price per pound determination.

8. In a computing scale, a money value indicator, a price per pound mechanism, a weight mechanism, an adjuster for moving the money value indicator in accordance with the price per pound and the weight of an article, the money value indicator including atens indicator chart, a units indicator chart arranged adjacent thereto, a differential mechanism connecting the charts and operating them reversely, means for engaging the tens chart and operating it reversely to accurately indicate the next lower tens stop,l said 'reverse movement operating through the diiierential mechanism to accurately position the units chart to correspond with the amount of reverse movement of the tens chart.

. 9. A computing scale mechanism comprising loa price per pound mechanism, a money value chart, means for varying the movement of the chart in accordance with the price per pound and the weight of an article, the money value chart comprising a units dial and a tens dial, a differential mechanism connecting them reversely and indicating the money value determined by the price per pound and the weight, the money value dials comprising the chart having oppositely disposed numerals visible at opposite'sides of the scale with separate units indicators at opposite sides thereof, and the adjusting movement imparted' to one of the units charts being correspondingly imparted to the other one so that the money'value indication will be the same at both sides ofthe scale. s

y 10. A computing scale mechanism comprising a money value chart having a units dial, and a dial with .tens graduations, means for actuating the dials and holding them at'set values, said oactuating means including a mechanism for differentially moving the units dial reversely to the tens dial, the dierential mechanism comprising means for moving the tens dial approximately to the next higher graduation when the units dial registers more than nine and one-half units.

1l. A computing scale mechanism comprising a money value chart having a units dial and a dial with tens graduations, means `for actuating the dials and holding them at set values, said actuating means including differential mechanism for reversely moving the units and tens dials, and the units dial'having a toothed holding portion and a pawl for engaging the teeth to indicate on the dial the nearest unit for any computation be'- tween the units, the diierential mechanism comprising a separable connection for restoring the tens dial approximately to the next higher gradu-l ationwhen the units -dial registers more than nine and one-half units.

them at set values; differential mechanism'for moving the dials, the units dial having a holding portion with angular teeth, a pawl to 'engage the teeth, a gear forming part of the actuating means; and a yielding connection between the gear and the dial, the engagement of the pawl with the teeth causing `a yielding movement of the dial to set it at-the nearest unit.

13. A computing scale mechanism comprising a money value chart having a units dial, a. tens dial with corresponding -graduations, means for im- 65 at set values, diierential mechanism for additionally movingthe dials including a rocking lever andan actuator for the units dial, and means including a separable connection tending to hold them together for normal units actuation.

which the units dial has\an actuating gear, and means engageable with vthe said actuator y for breaking the-separable connection and `moving 75y the dials at a predetermined units dial condition.

12; .A Computing Scale meChanSm-COmpISmgv* parting vmovement to the dials and holding them" 14. Mechanism in accordance with claim 13, in l aovaiea v 15. Computing scale mechanism in accordance with claim 13 in which the units dial has an actuating gear with a knock-out projection for breaking the separable connection when the d ial regis- J -ters more than 9% units, and means for there- 5 16.V A computing device comprising parts havl0 ving tens graduations and units graduations, re-

versely operating differential mechanism connecting the parts whereby the movement of the units part is dependent for its movement below 'nine and one-half units upon the movement of the tens part, and automatic releasing mechanism between the parts whereby the tens part is restored approximately to the next higher graduation when the units part registers more than nine and one-half units. 17. A computing scale mechanism comprising a money value chant having a units dial, a tens dial with corresponding graduations, means for imparting movement to the tens dial, mechanism connecting the dials for imparting reverse movement of one in proportion to the movement of the other, and for holding them at set valuesfsaid mechanism including a rocking lever and an actuator for the units dial and means including a separable connection tending to hold the lever and actuator together for normal units actuation. 18. A computing scale mechanism comprising a money value chart having a units dial, a tens dial with corresponding graduations, means for imparting movement to the Atens dial, reversely 35 operating mechanism for connecting the units and the tens dials and holding them at set values, said mechanism including a lever and an` actuator with a separable connection tending to hold them together for normal unit operation, and means including an actuating gearwhich includes a knock-out projection and a rocking lever for breaking the separable connection when the units dial registers more than nine and one-half units. 19. A computing device comprising parts having tens graduations and units graduations, mechanism connecting the parts for reverse operation whereby themovement of the units part is dependent upon that of the tens part below nine and one-half units, and automatic releasing mechanism between the parts when the units and the weight of an article, the money value chart comprising a ten cent graduation dial and -a units dial. means for operating the ten cent dial from a zero position to the position representing a value `reading of tens and units, mechanism for connecting the tens and units dials-for operating the'units dial to receive the units reading as said tens' dial is returned to the next lower tens value, l

members for exhibiting values in terms of maior 75 Vand minor units, and subsequently'acting means controlled by said graduated member for major units adapted to .operate the graduated member for minor units in accordance with the amount by which the value to be exhibited exceeds the largest number of major units contained init,

.said last means also including automatic releasing mechanism between the members to permit movement oi' the major unit member to exhibit substantially the next higlier major unit when Vthe graduated member for minor units has been operated to read less than a half of one un'it below A the amount indicated by the said next higher reading of the major unit member.

- O'I'I'O MALCHER. 

